Baker Mayfield gives teammates confidence these aren't same old Browns

Nate Ulrich Beacon Journal/Ohio.com @ByNateUlrich

Saturday

Nov 10, 2018 at 1:34 PMNov 11, 2018 at 10:45 AM

Baker Mayfield is experiencing culture shock.

The No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft who had tasted defeat just 10 times as a starting quarterback in high school and college combined finds himself in the midst of a four-game losing streak during what has spiraled into another disappointing Browns season.

Mayfield, though, is determined to keep his head up for the sake of his own development as well as his team's.

"If I was down about it, I don't think that I would be the man for the job," Mayfield said while reflecting on the Browns' drought and record of 2-6-1 heading into Sunday's home game against the Atlanta Falcons, whose three-game winning streak boosted them to 4-4.

"Losing sucks. There's no way around that," he continued. "Have to be able to push forward. We have to be able to find the positives right now and build on those."

Last week, in Mayfield's first regular-season game with Freddie Kitchens calling the plays, the Browns showed progress on offense, albeit against one of the NFL's worst defenses. The Browns' defense, however, simply couldn't stop the Kansas City Chiefs from dominating in a 37-21 loss, their first game since the firings of coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley on Oct. 29.

A bigger step from Mayfield and Co. is needed if the Browns hope to upset the Falcons, who, like the Chiefs, have a high-powered offense (ranked eighth in the NFL with 28.5 points per game) but a weak defense (29th with 28.2 points allowed a game).

His teammates have high expectations. The hope he provides has given them a different feeling than they had the past two seasons when they went 1-31.

"It's not everything, but it's everything," left guard Joel Bitonio said. "You've got to have a quarterback to win in the NFL, and it hasn't been perfect, but to have him out there with you, there's always that hope that, 'Hey, we have a chance to win this game.'

"To see the work he's put in, the talent that he has and the pieces we can add around him and keep improving with, there's no limits on what we can be in the future."

It can be difficult for a rookie to lead, but Mayfield is a natural.

"Just the chip on his shoulder, he's a tough son of a gun," right tackle Chris Hubbard said. "He's going to go out there with an attitude. He's one of those guys that pumps you up as the game goes on. He's like, 'Man, we can get these guys. Let's go.' When you see traits like that, you know something good is going to happen. ... He has the right things that's leading up to be that guy, that franchise quarterback."

It's not just the players on offense who are energized by the belief that Mayfield will be the solution to the Browns' 25-year quarterback problem.

"You want to play for a guy like that who inspires you. He comes to the defensive side of the ball like, 'Hey, we're still in this. Just give me one more chance out there.' Guys on defense love that."

Falcons coach Dan Quinn said during a conference call he's been impressed by "the toughness, the accuracy and the quick release" Mayfield has shown. Those attributes can't be seen just by glancing at his lackluster statistics: 60 percent completion percentage, 1,768 passing yards, 10 touchdown passes, seven interceptions with a rating of 81.5. Then there's his record — 1-5 as an NFL starter after he went 62-10 in high school and college.

"He's not lost a lot in his lifetime," Bitonio said. "I know it's been tough for him. I know he doesn't take losing easy, like any of us, but as a quarterback of the team, those losses go on your record.

"He's done a great job of turning the page and being focused on the week at hand. That's something that you have to do in the NFL."

Fine time

Chiefs safety Ron Parker was not fined by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Mayfield in the third quarter Sunday. No penalty was called on the play. Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens was fined $13,369 for his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty one play later.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his Browns coverage at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ByNateUlrich and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.

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